Controller for electric motors.



H. W. CHENEY.

cou'momaa FOE ELEGTRIG MOTORS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 29, 1909.

Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

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imbmmw HE NORRIS PETERS (30., FHUAu-LIIHLL, WASHINGTON. D C.

H. W. CHENEY.

CONTROLLER FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.29,1909.

1,125,815. Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

ZSHEETS-SHEET 2.

5 [mg i THE Nuxnlb r1. =RS co. FHOTD LITHO.. WASHINGTON, D. C

HERBERT W. CHENEY, OF MILVIAUKEE, WISCONSIN,

MENTS, TO ALLIS-CHALMERS MANUFACTURING- DELAWARE.

ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN COMPANY, A COR-POBATIOII OF CONTROLLER FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS.

Application filed December 29, 1909.

known that I, HERBERT XV. CHENEY, i of the United States, residing at lillilwankee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of lVisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Controlo; Electric Motors, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact specification.

T s invention relates to improvements in ope ating mechanisms for controllers and p: rticularly for controllers or potential for starting induction mo starters utilized tors.

ln controllers generally it is desirable that the drums or movable contact carrying devices be shifted with quick movements to avoid arcing between the fixed and movable contacts. It is also desirable in controllers of certain types, particularly potential starters for induction motors, that the controller drum be movable from a running to an oil"position without passing through a starting position. Consequently some controllers, such as potential starters, have been so designed that the controller drum can be SdlfiJQCl from an off position through one or more starting positions to the running position and then again to the off position by successive movements in a forward direction. However, in controllers of this type it is desirable that the drum be capable of movement in a backward direction from a starting position directly to an off position, but to avoid danger of injury to the controller in the hands of an inexperienced or careless operator, means should be provided for preventing a n'rovement of the drum in a backward direction from either an off position to a running position or from a running position to a starting position.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of an improved operating mechanism for controllers wherein the controller drum will be shifted with a is moved from any position to another.

A further object is the provision of an operating mechanism which will permit the drum to be moved with a quick break or snap action. to all the different positions in a forward direction and from a starting to an off position in a backward direction, but which will. prevent the drum being Specification of Letters Patent.

snap action as it Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

Serial No. 535,382.

moved in a backward direction from d positionto a from a running position.

My invention may be briefly summarized as consisting in certain novel details of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts which will be described in the specification and set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings wherein I have shown one form of my invention applied to a potential starter, Figure 1 is a side view of the potential starter equipped with my improved operating mechanism, the latter and certain other portions being shown in section. Fig. 2 is an end view of the same with the handles of the starter shown in an off position. Fig. 3 is an enlar ed sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 4% in the direction indicated by arrows through a portion of the operating mechanism and through a portion of the supporting frame of the starter. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the operating mechanism, the section being taken substantially along the line l-lof Fig. 3 looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Figs. 5 and 6 are diminished front elevations of notched disks forming the ratchet mechanism.

Referring now to the figures of the drawings 10 represents a cast metal supporting frame of the potential starter, the upper part of the frame being provided with a sheet metal cover plate 11 which forms a casing in which one or more transformers (not shown) may portion of the frame supporting a sheet metal tank 12 adapted to be filled with oil and to inclose the contact mechanism of the starter. The tank 12 is removably secured to the frame 10 as in the usual manner by suitable members 13, which are pivotally connected to the tank and engage slotted lugs 14: on the lower portion of the frame 30.

The frame 10 is provided at one end with a bearing 15 in which is supported a spindle having secured to its inner end a gear 17 which forms part of the driving mechanism of the starter drum and which meshes with a gear 18 mounted on a shaft or stud l9 su ported in a depending bracket 20 of the frame. This gear 18 meshes with a suitable an running position or position to a starting be mounted, and the lower 7 ried by the flange be seen, the arrangement of the spring is turned in either direction,

gear 21 at the supported in the lower ends of the bracket 20 and a similar bracket (not shown) at the opposite end of the frame. The drum 22 is provided with series of contacts 24: shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2 which contacts are 7 adapted to engage stationary contact fingers 25, the contact niechanisinbei-nginclosed in the oil tanl: 12. it may be here stated that the drum has six operative positions, two off positions, two starting -positions, and two iunning positions, one starting position only being provided in this case between an off and a running position. i

Loosely mounted on the outer end of the shaft 16 so that it may turn relative thereto, is a member 26 having a which engages the spindle l6 and a disk-like flange 2S'surronnding the spindle.

Located between the hub 27 and an outwardly projecting boss forming part of the bearing 15 previously referred to, is a member 29 having a hub 30 which is fixed to the spindle l6 and having a disk-like flange 31 which is parallel to the flange 28 and is spaced short distance therefrom. The flange 28 of member '26 has secured thereto a pair of operating handles 32 and 33, which, as shown most'clearly in Fig. are in alineinent with each other.

In Fig; i the different operative positions of the handles are indicated by the dot and dash linesdesignated ofi, starting and running these positions corresponding to the off, starting and running ositions of the drum 22. It willbe understood that the two off the other like positions) I are one hundred and eighty degrees apart.

Surrounding the shaft and located between the fianges 28 and 31 of the members 26 and 29'respectively,'is a coil spring 34:, the ends 35 and 36 of which are bent inwardly toward the shaft, gage a pair of pins 37 and 38 which extend horizontally spring, the pin 37 being carried by the flange 31 of member 29, and the pin 38 being cari 28 of member 26; As will such that if the operating handles are must move with the handles, will because of its engagement-with-the ends ofvthe spring, turn one end of thespring and lncrease the tension of the latter if the other end of the spring is held against movement. Consequently the spring will tend to shift in the same direction the pin 37, member 29'andspindle 16. Secured to the end of theframe-lO by screws 39 and dowel pins i0 area pair of notched disks or ratchets a1 and 42, these end of. the'starterdrum 22' mounted on a shaft 23 which is rotatably;

hub .portion 27' positions (and also ends to thetwo pawls. as shown, and en 1 between the said ends 'ofthe thepin 88 which of the controller.

disks-being'located' side by side adjacent the flange 31'of member 29 and surrounding the spindle l6. .Disk ll is provided with three pairs of equally spaced notches a3 and 4:3", H and 4:4, and 45 the notches of each pair beinglocated one hundred eighty degrees apart. These notches form ratchet teeth each of which is provided with a straight or radial side and Wltll itll lncnned side, and all theteeth facing in the same direction and being of equal height. These teeth, as will appear presently, are adapted to cooperate with a pawl and determine the six positions ofthe controller drum when the latter isshiftedin a forward or clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. The disk 42 is also provided with three pairs of notches l6 and 46*, a7 and ll, as and a8. These notches are also spaced sixty degrees apart, and the-notches of each pair are diametrically opposite. each other or one hundredeighty degrees apart. These notches form teeth each having a straight or radial side and an inclined side, andall facing in the opposite direction to that in which the teeth on disk 41 face. Furthermore as appears from Fig. i of the drawing, the teeth are not of uniform height, but those formed by notches as. and 4-6 and by notches 4:8 and 48 are higher than those formed by notches s7 and 47 the'teeth formed by the latter notches being of the same height as the teeth of disk ll.

Pivotally secured by pins 49 and 50 to the flange 31 of member 29 and located in the planes of the ratchet disks all and 42 respectively, are pawls 51 and 52, the pawls being pivoted intermediate their ends, and the pawl 51 being adapted to engage in the notches of ratchet disk all, and thepawl 52 being adapted to engage in the notches of ratchet disk Thepawls are held yield ingly againstthe notched edges of the ratchet disks by a coil spring 53 connected at its At the free ends of the two pawls respectively, are rollers 5% and, 55, which, in" this case, are approxi mately one. hundred and eighty degrees apart and project outwardly beyond the teeth. of the ratchet disks. The pawl 51, as will appear presently. from Fig. l, normally holds the spindle 16 .and the mechanism which is driven thereby against movement spindle against movement in a reverse direction until tripped. v V

t willibe seen by-referring particularly to Fig 4:, that when-the controller or controller drum isin, an off position, pawl 51 engages eithernotch'ldoi' 43 of ratchet disk-41 jandiconsequently these notches may be said toico-rrespond to the off positions .lior. the same reason notches 44 and 44 correspond to the starting positions of the controller and the notches 45 and 45 correspond to the running positions of the controller. Also when the controller is in off position, pawl 52 engages either notch 46 or 46 of ratchet disk 42, and, therefore, these notches correspond to the off positions of the controller, and notches 47 and 47 correspond to the starting positions of the controller, and the notches 48 and 48 correspond to the running positions of the controller. The off starting and running positions of the controller with respect to the notches of the two ratchet disks are not indicated on Fig. 4 of the drawing, in order to avoid confusion with the off, starting and running positions of the handles which are indicated on Fig. 4.

In order that the pawls may be tripped so as to permit the spindle and drum to be shifted with a snap action after the handle has been moved through a predetermined are, I have provided tripping means consisting in this instance of a pair of pins 56 and 57 which are secured to the flange 28 of member 26 and extend horizontally inward, these pins having at their free ends rollers 58 and 59 respectively, the roller 58 being adapted to engage the roller 54 on the end of pawl 51, and the roller 59 being adapted to en age the roller 55 on the end of pawl 52. The flange 28 of member 26 is also provided with a number of pins 60 which project horizontally toward the flange 31 of member 29 over the spring 34 and serve as protecting members for the latter.

The operation of the mechanism above described will now be explained. When the handles and drum are in the off position, pawl 51 engages within notch 43 as shown in Fig. 4. or notch 43 which is displaced one hundred and eighty degrees therefrom. If the handles are turned from the off position in a counter-clockwise direction, the tension of coil spring vill be increased, and the spindle and parts driven thereby will be held from movement by pawl 51 until after the handles are moved through an arc of approximately sixty degrees or to the starting position for the handles, when the roller 58 on the end of the tripping pin 56 engages the roller 54 on pawl 51 and lifts the pawl from the notch 43 or from notch 43, depending upon whether the pawls are in the position shown in Fig. 4 or one hundred and eighty degrees from the position there shown. As soon as the pawl is lifted from the notch which it engages so as to clear the tooth formed by said notch the member 29 which carries the pawls is released, and this member, together with the spindle 16 and mechanism driven thereby including the drum 22 are turned with a snap action by the spring 34 to a starting position. In this same manner the drum may be turned step by step in a counterclockwise direction through all the different positions.

When the handles and off position the pawl 52 engages either the notch 46 as shown in Fig. 4, or it engages notch 46 which is displaced one hundred and eighty degrees therefrom. It will be seen, however, that if the handles are shifted in a clockwise direction from the off to the running position indicated in Fig. 4, although the spring is placed under increased tension by this movement of the handle, the pawl will not be released when the roller 59 carried by the tripping pin 57 engages and depresses the roller carried by the pawl 52 for the reason that the teeth formed by the notches 46 and 46 are higher than the teeth formed by the notches on disk 41 and the amount which the roller 55 can be depressed by the roller 59 on the tripping pin 57 is not suflicient to lift the pawl clear of the tooth which it engages. Consequently although the handles are shifted in a forward or clockwise direction from the off to the running position, no movement of the drum can take place and if the handles are released, they will immediately e restored by the spring 34 to the off position.

If the handles and drum are in a running position (Fig. 4) the pawl 52 will engage either the notch 48 or 48, but inasmuch as the teeth formed by these notches are of the same height as the teeth formed by notches 46 and 46, even if the handles are moved in a clockwise direction from the running to the starting position, the pawl cannot be lifted clear of the tooth formed by the notch which it engages. Consequently the drum cannot be turned in a backward direction from a running to a starting position. and if the handles should be released after being turned back ward from a running to a starting position, they will be immediately returned by the spring 34 to the running position. If, however, the drum is in a starting position pawl 52 will engage either notch 47 or notch 47 and inasmuch as the teeth formed by these notches are shorter than the teeth formed by the other notches of disk 42 and are in fact the same height as the teeth on disk 41, if the handles are moved in a clockwise direction Fig. from the starting to the off position, the drum will be moved in a backward direction to the off position when the roller 59 on tripping pin 57 depresses roller on the pawl 52 so that it clears the tooth which it engages. It will be seen therefore, from Fig. 4, that the drum may be shifted with a snap action through all the different positions by turning the handles in a counterclockwise direction, and that it may be drum are in the shifted with a snap action from a starting f oft posltlon by position directly to an forward or deck turning the handles in a wise direction, but that it cannot be shifted from-an ofi position to a running position or from a running position to a starting position by turning the handles in a forward clockwise direction. It will be seen also that with the operating mechanism which I have provided, the drum will be actuated in a manner such that injury due to arcing will be very small and that the mechanism is practically tool-proof and the controller or starter is in no danger of being injured when in the hands or": an inexperi enced or careless operator.

I do not desire to be confined to the exact details shown but aim in my claims to cover 7 all modifications which do not involve a departure from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an operating mechanism for a controller, a controller handle, a spindle, a spring forming a driving connection be tween the handle and the spindle, a ratchet and pawl mechanism permitting said spindle to be turned in one direction to a plurality of difierent positions but preventing said spindle to be turned in a reverse direction to certain positions, said mechanism normally holding the spindle against movement, and a member movable with the handle and serving to tripthe pawl so as to permit the spindle to be shifted by the spring when the handle has been moved a predetermined amount.

2. In combination, in an operating mechanism for a controller, a controller handle, a controller drum, a spring forming a driving connection between the handle and drum, a ratchet mechanism comprising a pawl and a ratchet disk normally holding the drum against movement, said mechanism permitting said drum to be turned in one direction to a plurality of difiierent positions but preventing said drum to be turned in a reverse direction to certain positions, one of said members of the ratchet mechanism being stationary and the other being movable with the drum, and a tripping device movable with the handle and serving to trip the pawl and permit the drum to be moved from one position to another when the handle is moved through a predetermined arc.

3. In combination, in an operating mechanism for a controller, a controller handle, a spindle adapted to be shifted thereby, a spring forming a driving connection between the handle and spindle, a stationary ratchet disk having notches corresponding to the operative positions of the controller, a pawl movable with the spindle and adapt ed toengage the notches of the ratchet disk, and a tripping device movable with the handle and adapted to engage and trip the pawl after the handle has been moved a predetermined distance so that the pawl and spindle maybe shiftedby said spring from one position to another, said tripping device being efiective in one direction of rotation and ineffective in certain positions in the opposite direction of rotation. i 4. In combination, in an operating mechanism for a controller, a controller handle, a spindle adapted to be operated thereby, a spring forming a driving connection between the handle' and spindle, one end of the spring being operatively connected to the handle and the other to the spindle, a pawl and ratchet mechanism for permitting the spindle to be shifted by the spring with a snap action, said mechanism comprising a stationary ratchet disk, a pawl movable with the spindle and adapted to engage the notches of the ratchet disk, and a tripping device comprising a member which is adapted to release the pawl ratchet disk when the handle has been moved a certain amouQt, whereby the spring will turn the spindle with a quick movement from one operative position to another, said tripping device being effective in one direction of rotation and inefieotive in certain positions in the opposite direction of rotation. I

5. In combination, in a controller, a drum, and a quick break-operating mechanism for turning the drum with a snap action, said mechanism permitting the drum to be turned ina forward direction to all its operative positions and in a backward direction to a portion only of its positions.

6. In combination, in a controller, a controller drum, and a quick break operating mechanism for the drum comprising a handle, a spring adapted to have energy stored therein by a movement of the handle, and cooperating members which release the drum and permit the spring to turn the same with a snap action after a predetermined movement of the handle, said members permitting the drum to tion to all its positions and in the opposite direction to a certain position, but preventing thesame being turned in said latter direction to a certain other position.

from a notch of the be turned in one direc- 7. In combination, in a controller, a con- .1

troller drum, and a quick break operating mechanism which after a predetermined movement of the handle turns the drum with a snap action, said mechanism permitting the drum to to all its operative positions and permitting the drum to be turned in the opposite direction from a starting position to an f 05 position only.

8. In combination,

be turned in one direction in a controller, a drum T handle and to shift having off, starting and running positions, and mechanism for turning the drum with a snap action to all its difierent positions in a forward direction and permitting the drum to be turned in a backward direction from starting to off positions only.

9. In combination, in a controller, a controller drum, and a quick break operating mechanism for the drum comprising a handle, a spring forming a driving connection letween the handle and drum, and ratchet mechanism for permitting the drum to be released and to be turned by the spring successively through all its positions after the handl is turned successively predetermined amounts in a forward direction, but preventing the drum being turned to certain positions in a backward position.

16. In combination, in a controller, a controller drum, a handle, a spring for transmitting movement from the handle to the drum and adapted to have energy stored therein by a movement of the handle, a pawl and ratchet mechanism controlling the movements of the drum in one direction, a second pawl and ratchet mechanism controlling the movements of the drum in the opposite direction, and means for tripping said pawl in one direction of rotation but for tripping said second pawl only in some of the operative positions of the controller in the opposite direction of rotation.

11. In combination, in a controller, a controller drum, an operating handle, a spring operatively connected to the handle and drum, said spring being adapted to have energy stored therein by a movement of the the drum with a snap action when the drum is released, ratchet mechanism comprising two series of stationary ratchet teeth and two pawls cooperating therewith and movable with the drum, one ratchet mechanism governing the movements of the drum in one direction and the other governing the movements of the drum in the opposite direction, and means for tripping said pawl in one direction of rotation but for tripping said second pawl only in some or" the operative positions of the controller in the opposite direction of rotation.

12. In combination, a controller, a controller drum, a handle movable relative thereto, a spring forming a driving connec tion between the handle and drum, and ratchet mechanisms comprising two series of ratchet teeth and two pawls eachoof the latter cooperating with one series of teeth, one ratchet mechanism permitting the drum to be moved with a snap action step by step to all its different positions in a forward direction and the other permitting the drum to be moved with a snap action in a backward direction to certain positions only.

13.111 combination, in a controller, a con troller drum, an operating handle movable relative to the drum, two series of stationary ratchet teeth, ant two pawls movable with the drum and each cooperating with one series of teeth, spring between the handle and drum, and tripping means for said pawls movable with the handle and cooperating with one of the pawls so as to permit the drum to more with a snap action to all its dili er'ni positions when the handle is turned in a forward direction and coiiporat' with the other pawl so to pe mit drum be moved to certain pos l e handle is llcr drum, an forming a dihandle and d" i a spring 5 on between the who; mechanisms m 1 L action sucnositions when ard direction, nism permitting ii snap 'ed i action but preventing movens when the handle 1s rl direction.

i) troller drtm, a drum, controller ha; spring having an operative connection 'th the handle and with the spindle, ratchet mechanisms comprising two series of stationary ratchet teeth and two pawl norable wit the spindle, and tripping i means for sa'd pawls movable with the h ndle, the tee h of one series being of uniform her it whereby the pawl may be lifted clear oi ie teeth so that the drum may be turned with a snap action to all its different positions when the handle is moved in forward direction, and certain of the teeth of the other series being or" a height such that the pawl cooperating therewith is prevented from being lifted clear of such teeth when the handle is moved in a backward di ction.

16. In combina ion, in a controller, a controller cram, an operating handle movable relr ive to the drum, a spring forming a driving connection between the handle and 'rum, two ratchet mechanisms, one governing the movements of the drum in one direction and the other governing the movements of the drum in the other direction, the teeth of one ratchet mechanism being of equal height and the teeth of the other ratchet mechanism being of unequal height and tripping means movable with the handle and serving to lift the pawl of one ratchet m chanism from any of the teeth which it engages and to permit the drum to be turned tions when the handle is moved in one di- .rection, and serving to lift the other pawlfrom the part only of the teeth which it engages so that the drum can be turned to .certain positions only when the handle is moved in the reverse direction.

17. In combination, a controller drum, and an operating mechanism for said drum including means for turning said drum with a snap action, said mechanism permitting the drum to be turned in a for ard direction to all its operative positions, and permitting the drum tobe turned in a backward direction to a portion only of its positions. 1

-18. A controller, comprising fixed and movable contact members, and means for operating said movable contact member comprising mechanism for imparting a snap action to said'movable contact member, said operating means permitting said movable contact to be moved in one direction toany of its operative positions and permitting said contact to be moved in another direction to a portion only of its positions.

19. In combination, a controller drum and an operating mechanism for said drum including means for turning said drum with a snap action and means for permitting the drum to be turned in a forward direction to all of its operative positions and permitting'the drum to be turned in abackward direction a portion only of its positions.

20. In 'a controller, fixed and movable contacts,.- means for operating said movable 'contact relatively to said fixed contact, and

means'for controlling said operating means to insure the movement-of said movable contact with a snap action and for permitting themovement or saidmovable. contact in one direction to all oi tsoperatrve positions,

and permitting said contact to be moved in another "directionv to a certain position, but preventing movement of said contact in said latter direction to a certain other position. I

U Milwaukee, -Wis, Nov. 22, 1909.

In testimony .v iereof I afiiX my signature in the presence of two, witnesses.

HERBERTi/V. CHENEY. w e sesa ,C rAs. L. 'BYRON, RoBfE, STOLL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained iorfive cents 61101;; add're'ssing the' Commissioner of latents,

-Washington,D. O. 7 

